Meet Julian Shovlin: One Man, A Thousand Repair Kits
Julian Shovlin, Founder & Managing Director of iSmash – the go‑to spot for lightning‑fast fixes on phones, tablets and laptops. He turned a broken device into a business that’s now worth millions.
Vital Statistics
- Company: iSmash
- What It Does: Express repair of smartphones, tablets, and computers
- Founded: August 2013
- Team Size: 200
- Julian’s Role: Founder & Managing Director
From ‘Smash’ to ‘Smashed’ — The Eureka Moment
Picture this: Julian’s own phone goes kaput, he paddles into a repair shop, and for the love of glitched interfaces, the whole process feels like a slow crawl. The quality? Not great. The result? A classic case of “fix-delivery that’s more like a refurb, less like a refurbishment.”
Armed with a splash of frustration and a ton of tech knowledge, Julian thought, “Why not make this swift and painless for everyone?” The answer simply lay in the setting of an all‑backoffice operation where customers could book online, and the gear could start the repair before they even clocked in.
Bootstrapping Into Millions—How He Buckled Up
Julian kicked off in Dublin with a modest £15k earmarked for gear and inventory. That’s right—less than a full‑size cupboard of batteries and gloves.
He then snagged a seed round that gave the iSmash brand the runway it needed in London. That early investment was key to scaling from a small fill‑shop to three thriving stores—each serving millions of calls, emails and face‑to‑face inquiries.
Fast‑Track to the First £1 Million
Within 11 months of launching, the revenue check crossed the marquee—£1 million. The company wasn’t just surviving; it was sprinting.
Three dedicated stores were the launchpads, with plans to open dozens more. The momentum was intoxicating, and the million tosses the proving ground for the iSmash clause that “speed pays.”
Headwinds – Beating the Goliaths
They had to stack the deck against giants like Apple’s own service centers. The trick? No heavy eyelids on complexities. iSmash delegated real expertise with real-no-bull‑sh*t approach.
Where Apple goes “the quality gets a National Institute of Standards and Technology stamp,” iSmash offers practical speed, reliable fixes, and honest pricing. It was about shaking up how customers feel about repair: informed, fast, and friendly.
And with Julian’s calm, confident leadership, the business swerved from a mere “repair shop” to an industry powerhouse.
Julian Shovlin – The Handy Hero Behind iSmash
Meet the mastermind who turned a simple idea into a bruising‑free repair empire. Julian, the brains behind iSmash, has made fixing phones quicker, cleaner, and surprisingly charming. Let’s dive into his playbook and see what keeps his gears grinding.
Business Philosophy – One Thing, Big Impact
- High‑quality repairs, no fluff.
- Snap‑in shops strategically placed on the high street.
- With a laser focus on quality, word‑of‑mouth spreads faster than a meme.
Brexit – Not the End of the World
“Consumer confidence dipped, and the currency shuffled,” Julian admits. While those ripple effects knocked a few dice, the company still hit a 30% growth surge. The team’s punch‑line: “We’re not stopping; 2019 and beyond, here we come!”
Future Outlook – More Than Just Repairs
- Expand service stations across the city.
- Introduce mobile app for on‑the‑spot booking.
- Keep an eye on tech trends to stay ahead.
Growth Engine – People, Process, and Supply
“It’s all about the people, folks, and robust supply chains,” Julian says. The company continually tweaks its hiring funnel and upgrades supplier links to avoid bottlenecks. Clean tech, clean service.
Daily Metrics – Numbers That Matter
- Net Promoter Score – keeps the smile factor high.
- Footfall conversion rates – who walks in, who walks out.
- Technician productivity – jobs finished on time.
Lessons Learned – The Hiring Gambit
“We’ve hit a few snags hiring, but we’ve also made smart hires,” Julian reflects. Getting the right mix of talent is like seasoning a dish; a pinch too much or too little and the entire plate changes.
When the Work Stops – Fitness, Fun, and Finesse
On his rare free time, the CEO hits the gym and keeps a sports routine. “I’m all about keeping my legs moving and mind sharp,” he says. The balance between body and business is key.
Watching the Market – Deliveroo & Revolut
He keeps an eye on Delivery‑ish and Revolution‑ish ventures for their spend‑savvy model and ability to knock a massive audience out of the park. Their expansion could teach iSmash more about customer retention.
Why it Works – A Quick Summary
- Laser‑focused quality drives word‑of‑mouth.
- Adapts to macro changes (like Brexit) without missing the beat.
- Metrics guide daily hustle and long‑term growth.
- People and supply-chain harmony stay at the core.
So there you have it – a snapshot into the world of iSmash, steered by Julian’s steady hands and a focus on quality that never cracks under pressure. Whether you’re getting your phone repaired or just curious about the secret sauce behind a thriving repair shop, this CEO’s story offers a dash of practical wisdom and a sprinkle of human charm.
